Memory Lane - Without a word of command

The West Hartlepool Boys Welfare Club on Whitby Street. The club and many of the surrounding buildings were demolished to make way for the telephone exchange development that exists on the site today.

Published:14:00Saturday 04 June 2011

WITH reference to the picture of the Boys Welfare Club (Memory Lane Then and Now, May 30), it was situated at the north end of Whitby Street near to the Lex Cinema, which stood on the corner of Surtees Street.

The assistant warden, Reg Tweddle, served as a barber with his father opposite the club.

Reg proved to be a top gymnast and appeared on TV’s Top Town.

He was also an expert swimmer and life guard.

In the annual physical training competitions in Durham City Reg took the PT team through a programme of exercise, vaulting and agility without a word of command, resulting in them winning the PT Cup, Durham NABC.

This club was situated in the working class shopping area of Hartlepool.

A first class boys club, governed by a warden, assisted by a boys committee.